Helpful Score: 1
Grade B
Prelude to a Scandal is the first book in Delilah Marvelle's newest series. Lady Justine is in a bit of a pickle. Her father has been incarcerated for his scandalous, scientific research on the mating habits of animals. Justine creates a proposal to gain the help of her Father's most staunch supporter Radcliff, the Duke of Bradford. She offers Radcliff several nights with her in exchange for helping to secure her father's release from Prison. Radcliffe counter-offers with a proposal of marriage.
Prelude to a Scandal's plot had me engrossed in the story right from the beginning. The pacing flowed marvelously and the characters both had interesting personalities. Radcliff was unusual in the sense that he has an addiction to sex, so much so that he feels ashamed of his inability to control his physical needs. Justine's personality was different in the fact that as a woman in that time period she felt very refreshing and modern. These two learn to communicate early on in their relationship and have no issues with honesty. But they do have other issues that they must work through.
I worried a little when starting this book that with the hero having a sex addiction that the content would be very dark. That wasn't the case at all. Even though the subject matter was serious the tone of the book was light and not angsty at all. Sometimes Justine would come across as unfeeling towards Radcliff because she would take a tough love approach to his issues. It felt a little insensitive at times. But for the most part the book has very funny, light mood. I would recommend this book to a historical romance fan who is in the mood for something fun without brooding, moody characters.
Prelude to a Scandal is the first book in Delilah Marvelle's newest series. Lady Justine is in a bit of a pickle. Her father has been incarcerated for his scandalous, scientific research on the mating habits of animals. Justine creates a proposal to gain the help of her Father's most staunch supporter Radcliff, the Duke of Bradford. She offers Radcliff several nights with her in exchange for helping to secure her father's release from Prison. Radcliffe counter-offers with a proposal of marriage.
Prelude to a Scandal's plot had me engrossed in the story right from the beginning. The pacing flowed marvelously and the characters both had interesting personalities. Radcliff was unusual in the sense that he has an addiction to sex, so much so that he feels ashamed of his inability to control his physical needs. Justine's personality was different in the fact that as a woman in that time period she felt very refreshing and modern. These two learn to communicate early on in their relationship and have no issues with honesty. But they do have other issues that they must work through.
I worried a little when starting this book that with the hero having a sex addiction that the content would be very dark. That wasn't the case at all. Even though the subject matter was serious the tone of the book was light and not angsty at all. Sometimes Justine would come across as unfeeling towards Radcliff because she would take a tough love approach to his issues. It felt a little insensitive at times. But for the most part the book has very funny, light mood. I would recommend this book to a historical romance fan who is in the mood for something fun without brooding, moody characters.
Helpful Score: 1
I was disappointed in the book; I thought the story line had potential but was left very undeveloped.
The main focus of the book was the main character's obsession with sex. The book also focused on homosexuality during that era, which was a very interesting spin on a romance novel because I have never read a historical romance that addressed the topic as much as this one did. I wished there would have been more discussion and story build-up concerning homosexuality than the main character's obsession with sex.
His obsession made his character a huge disappointment to me as the reader and portrayed the heroine as bossy and not very deep. She oversimplified his issue and glossed over the reasoning behind his obsession.
Additionally there is a brother who is a "villian", not a very likable person. The author never took advantage of the potential of this character.
Bottom line, this book was very disappointing especially because it had the potential of being a really great book.
The main focus of the book was the main character's obsession with sex. The book also focused on homosexuality during that era, which was a very interesting spin on a romance novel because I have never read a historical romance that addressed the topic as much as this one did. I wished there would have been more discussion and story build-up concerning homosexuality than the main character's obsession with sex.
His obsession made his character a huge disappointment to me as the reader and portrayed the heroine as bossy and not very deep. She oversimplified his issue and glossed over the reasoning behind his obsession.
Additionally there is a brother who is a "villian", not a very likable person. The author never took advantage of the potential of this character.
Bottom line, this book was very disappointing especially because it had the potential of being a really great book.
The first in the series, it moved along nicely. The characters are very likeable and I love the story line. I recommend this book highly.
